Three Sonamarg Hoteliers Booked for Violating Immigration Laws
Srinagar, Oct 24: Authorities in Ganderbal district have taken strict action against three hotel owners in the popular tourist destination of Sonamarg for violating provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. Police said that the owners of Hotel Mount View, Imperial Resort, and Village Walk were booked for failing to register and report details of foreign tourists staying at their establishments to the concerned Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) within the stipulated time frame.
According to a police spokesperson, routine inspections carried out by the Sonamarg police revealed that the hotels had not submitted mandatory guest records, a requirement under Section 8/23(b) of the Immigration and Foreigners Act. The omission, officials said, amounts to a serious breach of national security protocols, as the registration of foreign guests plays a critical role in maintaining surveillance and tracking of international visitors across the Union Territory.
“The hotels were found in violation of legal provisions that require all establishments hosting foreign guests to register their details promptly with the local Foreigners Registration Office. Accordingly, cases have been registered under Section 8/23(b), and investigations are underway,” the spokesperson said.
Police have reiterated their call for strict adherence to the registration process by all hotel and guest house owners, warning that non-compliance will invite legal consequences. “The registration of foreign tourists is not merely a procedural formality—it is a vital aspect of maintaining public safety and ensuring proper documentation. Hoteliers must ensure compliance to avoid punitive action,” the statement added.
Officials further informed that special teams from the Tourism and Police Departments are conducting coordinated inspections of hotels and guest houses across key tourist destinations including Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg to ensure compliance with the immigration norms. “Such checks are routine but will now be conducted more frequently in view of recent violations,” a senior police officer said.
